daisho

Daisho is a term for the paired swords traditionally worn by Japanese samurai, comprising a long sword and a shorter sword. The long blade is the daito and the short blade is the shoto. The combination functioned as a visible symbol of the wearer’s status, authority, and adherence to the samurai code.

Historically, the practice emerged in the late medieval period as dual swords served complementary roles: the katana for open combat and the wakizashi for close quarters or indoor use. During the Edo period, weapon-carrying etiquette and the social distinctions of the warrior class elevated the daisho as an explicit sign of samurai status.

Typically, the wakizashi is worn in front of the katana, both suspended from the obi on the left hip. The katana is worn behind the wakizashi, though the exact arrangement can vary by tradition; the blades are carried with the edge facing upward to facilitate drawing. In common practice the daito refers to the long blade (often a katana) and the shoto to the short blade (often a wakizashi).

In modern times, the daisho remains a symbol in ceremonial contexts and martial arts practice. It is rarely worn in daily life but continues to be a potent emblem of samurai heritage and swordcraft in museums, media, and reenactments.